Hankook Supplies Tires for BMW's New i4
On September 26th, Hankook Tire & Technology announced the supply of two iON series electric vehicle tires for the BMW New i4, marking a further deepening of the global tire giant's collaboration with the luxury car brand in the field of electrification.
As BMW's first mid-size pure electric Gran Coupe, the New i4 embodies the German automaker's strategic ambitions in the high-end electric vehicle market. The inclusion of Hankook's iON product line represents a technical collaboration achieved through a shared understanding of the core needs of electric mobility.
This is no coincidence: since supplying MINI in 2011, Hankook has been the exclusive tire supplier for BMW Driving Centers for nine consecutive years. Its expansion from gasoline-powered vehicles to electric vehicles demonstrates its technological evolution in sync with the automaker's transformation.
iON Supreme: The Art of Balancing Four Core Technologies
The 19-inch iON Supreme, an ultra-high-performance flagship model, draws its technological core from Hankook's proprietary iON INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY system. Through the precise balance of four core technologies, it solves the performance paradox of electric vehicle tires.
Low-noise technology directly addresses the pain points of electric vehicles. Because electric motors operate virtually silently, tire noise becomes the primary source of in-car noise. The iON Supreme features Hankook's signature SoundAbsorber™ noise reduction technology, which absorbs cavity vibrations through polyurethane foam within the tire. The tire also features an optimized multi-pitch arrangement and shoulder groove design.
The lateral grooves curve and widen toward the shoulder for progressive contact, while the chamfered edges reduce road impact, suppressing pumping noise at the source. This design ensures a quiet cabin even at high speeds, befitting the luxury positioning of the BMW New i4.
Range optimization relies on breakthrough low rolling resistance technology. Through vulcanization process upgrades and formulation innovations, Hankook has incorporated special flexible materials into the tire rubber. Combined with an optimized tread contact pattern, this effectively reduces rolling resistance. Data shows that tires on new energy vehicles typically wear 20% faster than those on fuel-powered vehicles.
The iON Supreme's pressure distribution technology evenly distributes road pressure. Combined with the wear-resistant Produrable Compound formula, this extends tire life while providing the New i4 with longer-lasting driving performance.
Perfect grip is the core guarantee of performance. Aiming for the instantaneous high torque of electric vehicles, the iON Supreme features an aramid reinforcement belt to increase carcass rigidity, and extended outer shoulder blocks optimize tread rigidity to prevent slippage during rapid acceleration.
Its transverse grooves adopt a differentiated "wide outside, narrow inside" design: the wider outer grooves enhance wetland drainage, while the narrower inner grooves reduce noise. Combined with EU-labeled A-level wet grip, this design delivers stable handling on both dry and wet roads.
Technology Extension: The iON Family's Compatibility
In addition to the iON Supreme, Hankook also supplies another iON series tire for the BMW New i4, inheriting this technological heritage. As a comprehensive product line covering both pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, the iON family has formed a comprehensive technology matrix: the iON evo series, with its "hat trick" EU-labeled performance, is the original equipment for supercars like the Porsche Taycan; while the iON ST AS series excels in all-season adaptability and quiet operation. This diversified approach enables Hankook to precisely meet the needs of BMW's diverse electric vehicle models.
